Alfa 159 2.2, why so cheap?
Discussion
Yes, I'm looking at new cars several months before I'm actually going to replace mine. Doesn't hurt to be prepared! 
Was browsing ebay today and a couple of 2.2 Alfa 159s popped up: it seems decent ones can be had for £3-4k. I think they look fantastic, and from what I've read they seem to be decent to drive and no more unreliable than the BMW/Mercedes equivalents. Engine-wise, I'd love the 3.2, but unfortunately my insurance company would quote me over £3k, so if I was to get a 159 it'd have to be the 2.2, or the 1.9 diesel (which I can't justify mileage-wise). I can be insured on both for around £1500, considerably less than what I pay at the moment on my mazda and volvo.
The disadvantages, as far as I can see are mediocre MPG, and an engine that's not anywhere near as good as the V6 unit, but the 180BHP produced by the 2.2 is fine for me (my daily driver has similar performance figures and I find that quick enough in most situations)
I'm not deluded enough to believe it's on par with the E90, as some reviewers have said, but for the money it seems like a bargain.
So am I missing anything? Would it be a disastrous purchase or do you think they're good value?
Was browsing ebay today and a couple of 2.2 Alfa 159s popped up: it seems decent ones can be had for £3-4k. I think they look fantastic, and from what I've read they seem to be decent to drive and no more unreliable than the BMW/Mercedes equivalents. Engine-wise, I'd love the 3.2, but unfortunately my insurance company would quote me over £3k, so if I was to get a 159 it'd have to be the 2.2, or the 1.9 diesel (which I can't justify mileage-wise). I can be insured on both for around £1500, considerably less than what I pay at the moment on my mazda and volvo.
The disadvantages, as far as I can see are mediocre MPG, and an engine that's not anywhere near as good as the V6 unit, but the 180BHP produced by the 2.2 is fine for me (my daily driver has similar performance figures and I find that quick enough in most situations)
I'm not deluded enough to believe it's on par with the E90, as some reviewers have said, but for the money it seems like a bargain.
So am I missing anything? Would it be a disastrous purchase or do you think they're good value?
Edited by Geekman on Wednesday 28th November 19:03
I had a 2.2 brera, whilst not amazingly quick, was enough for me, tax was £270 and averaged about 29 mpg. Common engine fault is stretched timing chain, I went through 3 in 18k miles sorted under warranty but would be about £1k from a main dealer. The 2.2 also has a hesitancy when pulling away, sort of bogs down, but is fine once moving. I'd have no problem with another one!
A colleague of mine has a 2.2 and loves it.
Funnily enough, we were talking about it last night at a works do and over the 2 years he's had it, it's never let him down and only cost him consumables. He does about 25k a year so it's not like it just sits on the drive.
They're a lovely looking thing. The estate version even more so.
Funnily enough, we were talking about it last night at a works do and over the 2 years he's had it, it's never let him down and only cost him consumables. He does about 25k a year so it's not like it just sits on the drive.
They're a lovely looking thing. The estate version even more so.
Sniff around an Alfa specific forum? Google 'Alfa 159 2.2' and 'problems'?
Is it the GM 2.2 camchain engine?
The insurance on a V6 would kill you? What about the Road Tax? I think they're all after the 23 March 2006 cut off or whatever the date is.
v8will, some 156s are getting scrapped due to floorpan corrosion, and 159s can get a bit of surface rust on the underside so some may need a bit of attention and preventative treatment.
Is it the GM 2.2 camchain engine?
The insurance on a V6 would kill you? What about the Road Tax? I think they're all after the 23 March 2006 cut off or whatever the date is.
v8will, some 156s are getting scrapped due to floorpan corrosion, and 159s can get a bit of surface rust on the underside so some may need a bit of attention and preventative treatment.
Edited by carinaman on Wednesday 28th November 19:57
The estate does look fantastic, to be honest I'd happily take either. I heard about the timing chain issues, but I'm pretty anal about such things and would probably get it replaced as soon as I got the car. The bogging down I heard about as well, although people were saying it's solved with a remap, something I'd get anyway.
Road tax isn't too bad on the models I'm looking at. Have done a bit of googling and haven't found anything that's a deal breaker for me, hence me asking you guys.
The more I look at them the more I like them, they just look so damn good....
Road tax isn't too bad on the models I'm looking at. Have done a bit of googling and haven't found anything that's a deal breaker for me, hence me asking you guys.
The more I look at them the more I like them, they just look so damn good....
I think it's probably like most cars, in that you need to identify and side step the lemons and try to get a good one rather than getting all heart over head because of a colour or trim spec.
I don't know how many are out there for used buyers with your budget to be that fussy.
Is the 159 that nippy? The Brera is heavy, but I don't know if the 159 is lighter and wonder how that effects in gear acceleration and MPG?
No worries v8will. I guess it all comes down to personal preferences, I much prefer the 156 especially the original. The odd 159 has caught my eye but it is dependent on colour and wheels with me. The headlamps on the 159 and Brera are a fantastic touch and really remind me of some of Giugiaros other masterpieces.
I don't know how many are out there for used buyers with your budget to be that fussy.
Is the 159 that nippy? The Brera is heavy, but I don't know if the 159 is lighter and wonder how that effects in gear acceleration and MPG?
No worries v8will. I guess it all comes down to personal preferences, I much prefer the 156 especially the original. The odd 159 has caught my eye but it is dependent on colour and wheels with me. The headlamps on the 159 and Brera are a fantastic touch and really remind me of some of Giugiaros other masterpieces.Edited by carinaman on Wednesday 28th November 20:05
carinaman said:
I think it's probably like most cars, in that you need to identify and side step the lemons and try to get a good one rather than getting all heart over head because of a colour or trim spec.
I don't know how many are out there for used buyers with your budget to be that fussy.
Is the 159 that nippy? The Brera is heavy, but I don't know if the 159 is lighter and wonder how that effects in gear acceleration and MPG?
Oh definitely, touch wood I seem to be alright at doing that, haven't bought a lemon so far.I don't know how many are out there for used buyers with your budget to be that fussy.
Is the 159 that nippy? The Brera is heavy, but I don't know if the 159 is lighter and wonder how that effects in gear acceleration and MPG?
This http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alfa-Romeo-159-2-2JTS-Lu... was one I found as an example, seemed pretty much perfect to me although I realise ebay adverts can be deceptive.
Performance wise they're not that quick, but 8.8s to 60 is fine for me. I might keep my volvo anyway which will satisfy my power needs :P
Have a look on www.alfaowner.net they are a good bunch on there. I'd still love a stromboli grey ti with natural leather, would give me a crisis evertime I looked at it!
Also be careful on wheel size, the 18s and 19s are an odd size, a 235/45 on a 98y rating, £180 for a Bridgestone on an 18, or £90 for an accelera, can also get Pirelli in that size but thats about the choice!
Also be careful on wheel size, the 18s and 19s are an odd size, a 235/45 on a 98y rating, £180 for a Bridgestone on an 18, or £90 for an accelera, can also get Pirelli in that size but thats about the choice!
Harris actually prefers the 2.2 to the V6 (in the Brera, at least):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7haVVZ204s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7haVVZ204s
I thought the Brera was lardy period. Isn't what the Top Gear 3 way Coupes as art exhibits said? I can see how a V6 and 4WD adds weight, but I thought they were all heavy.
Useful tip on the tyre sizes.
Even disregarding looks, I'm not a fan of more modern cars due to size and weight. I may not like to have a big spill in a 156 but I think I'd make more progress along B roads due to size. My driving doesn't presently involve much dual carriageways or commuting slog.
Useful tip on the tyre sizes.
Even disregarding looks, I'm not a fan of more modern cars due to size and weight. I may not like to have a big spill in a 156 but I think I'd make more progress along B roads due to size. My driving doesn't presently involve much dual carriageways or commuting slog.
Edited by carinaman on Wednesday 28th November 20:38
Thanks for the tip about tyre sizes: had a look on the alfa forums as well and there's a lot of useful stuff. Still haven't found anything to put me off, although I do have another question.
I originally discounted the 1.9Jtdm model as I assumed the DPF, egr valve etc would generate lots of expensive bills, and as my current mileage is probably around 10k per year I don't really need a diesel. However, I noticed a company offering DPF and EGR removal, along with a 195bhp/301 lb/ft remap for £300+vat, and although I'd still prefer the 2.2 petrol, this makes me think of considering a 1.9jtdm if a good one came up at the right price....
I originally discounted the 1.9Jtdm model as I assumed the DPF, egr valve etc would generate lots of expensive bills, and as my current mileage is probably around 10k per year I don't really need a diesel. However, I noticed a company offering DPF and EGR removal, along with a 195bhp/301 lb/ft remap for £300+vat, and although I'd still prefer the 2.2 petrol, this makes me think of considering a 1.9jtdm if a good one came up at the right price....
Register on here:-
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/
Do some reading, if you still want one after that you will know that you are an alfa addict. Just get one and possibly suffer the consequences, at least you can say you have owned an alfa!
http://www.alfaowner.com/Forum/
Do some reading, if you still want one after that you will know that you are an alfa addict. Just get one and possibly suffer the consequences, at least you can say you have owned an alfa!
Geekman said:
I originally discounted the 1.9Jtdm model as I assumed the DPF, egr valve etc would generate lots of expensive bills, and as my current mileage is probably around 10k per year I don't really need a diesel. However, I noticed a company offering DPF and EGR removal, along with a 195bhp/301 lb/ft remap for £300+vat,
Could you tell me what company that was with? I looked at doing the same to my 156 1.9jtd but was quoted £400 at the timeWilleh85 said:
Could you tell me what company that was with? I looked at doing the same to my 156 1.9jtd but was quoted £400 at the time
Here's the link, no idea if they're any good, just something I found whilst googling alfa 159 related stuff http://www.motor-mech.co.uk/DPF_Removal_Alfa_romeo...that estate looks so good!
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